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Re: [OT] Need advice on DVD burner

Well first of all try to get one that burns both +R and -R that way you can buy the cheapes disks. Right now the -R are the cheapest. For example I just picked up a 50 pack from pricewatch of -R for 20 dollars (that included shipping)

I have the Pioneer and I like it a lot. It is my first DVD burner so I could not tell you about the others. I think I saw that Plextor has one now and they are always good. I have a plextor cd burner in our other computer and it has been great I have never made a coaster with it.

Re: [OT] Need advice on DVD burner

Is it true there are compatibility problems with recordable DVD formats?

Yes. None of the writable formats are fully compatible with each other or even with existing drives and players. In other words, a DVD+R/RW drive can't write a DVD-R or DVD-RW disc, and vice versa (unless it's a combo drive that writes both formats). As time goes by the different formats are becoming more compatible and more intermixed. A player with the DVD Forum's DVD Multi is guaranteed to read DVD-R, DVD-RW, and DVD-RAM discs, and a DVD Multi recorder can record using all three formats. Some new "super combo" drives can record in both plus and dash format, and a few "super multi" drives can record all 5 disc types (DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, and DVD-RAM).

like everyone else, i would just suggest a drive that covers everything

Re: [OT] Need advice on DVD burner

A 2X burner will burn a full DVD in about 30 minutes, 4X in about 15 minutes and 8X in about 7 or 8. The + format is the only one that will burn at 8X.

I've had great luck with the + format. They'll play on every stand alone player I've tried, even 4 or 5 year old players. Some stand alone players will not play any burned DVD's, some play - and not +, it's a crap shoot as far as stand alone players are concerned.